Spare parts in diff

[Puddle Pirate]

So I finally changed the oil in my diffs today. The rear was really nasty, it was brown and clumpy. When I drained the front it didn't look too bad but a small round spring was stuck to the magnet. I haven't had any problems, should I be concerned or just see what happens?

 

[roverover]

Brown and clumpy sounds like ypu got a little water in it. Depending on how dependable you need it, as you can probably lock your center diff pull the axels and d-shaft and drive home, it will probably self destruct soon as the water would have messed up all the bearings and such.

If you pull it apart now you may be able to save the housing but if it blows it could take out the cover or whatever. You also want to figure out how the water got there in the first place and fix that also if you are going to play in the mud.

I have a rear 3rd in a pail ready to ship if you need one.

 

[BaldEagle]

i've had water in the diffs before. its still running fine a hundred thousand miles later. since you have new oil thats the main part. check the breathers, there probably clogged. i wouldnt jump to the conclusion of replacing it just because of that.

i dont know about the spring in the other diff though.

 

[Puddle Pirate]

I was going to run it for a little while and change it again. I was a lot more concerned about the spring. I just figured they put all the parts in there for a reason, but then again it is a Land Rover and maybe it can still run with parts missing.

 

[justinhaaga]

how long was the spring?

no springs in stock carriers, it could be a spring off a bearing. In which case your bearings may start to wear quickly and started to whine like a bitch.

 

[smelly pirelli]

Can you post a pic of the piece you found ! that would help, im thinking a clip or a washer that was twisted up , its not a good thing this is 4 sure!!

 

[roverover]

Most likely off the seal that let the water in

 

[Puddle Pirate]

This is the best I could do for pictures. I know it looks like an o-ring but it is a spring.

 

[smelly pirelli]

looks like a washer to a pinion shaft! you need to get in side, if it goes its going to shater everything and cost you double!!

 

[peter sherman]

Most likely off the seal that let the water in

x2

 

[Steve Rupp]

you need a new pinion seal

 

[ptschram]

It's probably a pinion seal spring. As long as you stay out of the water and keep the oil level where it belongs, you'll be fine. It is curious however that the spring came out of the axle that had clean oil in it.

I suspect that you may have a clogged breather AND a bad pinion seal, or bad O-rings for the hubs in the rear axle. Let's hope it's a clogged breather and blowed O-rings.

Cheers,
PT

 

[BaldEagle]

you need a new pinion seal

x3

 

[Puddle Pirate]

Well it looks like I have a project for my week off. Thank you to everyone who responded, I'll let you know how it turns out.

 

[Puddle Pirate]

Looks like it wasn't the pinion seal. I ran by the dealership in Richmond to pick one up and after sizing the spring up we came to the conclusion it was from the axle shaft. It doesn't make me feel any better especially since I don't know what side. But at least I have somewhere to start.

I was told I would be able to see it leaking if the spring was missing. If I don't see a leak should I still pull both sides and check for the spring?

 

[lwg]

Inner axle seal maybe? That would have a spring in it and would be in line with what the dealership said. Just don't know if DII's have them or not?

 

[95d1]

I once found a chicken in mine...would that be a problem?

 

[smelly pirelli]

I once found a chicken in mine...would that be a problem?

Was it barbacue or gear fryed! LOL!!!!!!!!!

 

[95d1]

Neither. Just a chicken. I checked the rave cd and there was nothing. Hhhhmmm oh well, it's just a chicken.